I had a party and only needed 8 ingredients

This was really a wonderful get-together. I was missing the fall activities my family would sometimes partake in, so I decided to invite some friends over to carve pumpkins and drink pumpkin beer. In spirit of the season I also wanted to have pumpkin flavored snacks, which brought me to this wonder of a recipe: Three Ingredient Cookies. Technically they could be two ingredient cookies, since you don’t need to add chocolate chips or mix-ins. BUT WHY NOT?? 🙂

I was already planning to make seasoned pretzels, and needed something sweet. These cookies are awesome! They’re a bit thicker consistency than cake, so great as handheld snacks. They take on the taste of whatever mix you buy, and the pumpkin shines through in all its glory.

The pretzels turned out pretty wonderful as well. They’re salty and spicy; perfect with pumpkin beer! Feel free to cut the recipe in half or even less. It makes a LOT of pretzels. (I’ve heard the left overs make great bread crumbs though…)

I’m planning to post again after this weekend. I’ll be making a vegan chili for a chili cook-off. Here’s wishing me good luck! I will post the recipe after the contest. Also, maybe, a picture of my halloween costume!!

Three Ingredient Cookies:

Ingredients:

1 Box of cake mix

1 Can of pumpkin (NOT pie filling, pumpkin puree!)

Mix-ins (I used Rolos for one batch and chocolate chips for the other)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix pumpkin and cake mix until smooth.

Blend in mix in (I did about ¾ cup of chocolate chips) or save until after baking to put Rolos or chocolate kisses on top.

Drop by spoonful onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake 8-10 minutes.

Resist urge to eat all while steaming hot.

Pretzels:

Ingredients:

3 bags pretzel bites

2 packets ranch seasoning mix

1 TBS lemon pepper

2 tsp cayenne (more or less depending on spice needs-for us 2 tsp was perfect and had kick)

¾ cup vegetable oil (or canola, or evoo)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix everything except pretzels in a bowl until consistent.

Pour over pretzels and mix up.

Spread in baking pan and cook for 10 minutes, stirring once at 5 minutes. I had to do two batches (this makes a LOT of pretzels-look at the picture!)

Across the country, my wonderful puppy was on a hike, so here’s the obligatory puppy picture!! Happiness!